US4520985A - Playing field boundary flag and support therefor - Google Patents

Playing field boundary flag and support therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
US4520985A
US4520985A US06/421,410 US42141082A US4520985A US 4520985 A US4520985 A US 4520985A US 42141082 A US42141082 A US 42141082A US 4520985 A US4520985 A US 4520985A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
ground
rod
support
blade
blade portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US06/421,410
Inventor
Lawrence S. Blumenthal
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GELHAAR UNIFORM CO 1608 OAK ST KANSAS CITY MO 64108 A CORP OF
GELHAAR UNIFORM Co
Original Assignee
GELHAAR UNIFORM Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GELHAAR UNIFORM Co filed Critical GELHAAR UNIFORM Co
Priority to US06/421,410 priority Critical patent/US4520985A/en
Assigned to GELHAAR UNIFORM CO.; 1608 OAK ST., KANSAS CITY, MO. 64108 A CORP OF reassignment GELHAAR UNIFORM CO.; 1608 OAK ST., KANSAS CITY, MO. 64108 A CORP OF ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: BLUMENTHAL, LAWRENCE S.
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4520985A publication Critical patent/US4520985A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F17/00—Flags; Banners; Mountings therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C19/00—Design or layout of playing courts, rinks, bowling greens or areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor
    • A63C19/06—Apparatus for setting-out or dividing courts
    • A63C19/062—Slalom gate poles, posts or marking sticks for sport fields
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
    • E04H12/22—Sockets or holders for poles or posts
    • E04H12/2207—Sockets or holders for poles or posts not used
    • E04H12/2215—Sockets or holders for poles or posts not used driven into the ground
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F17/00—Flags; Banners; Mountings therefor
    • G09F2017/0066—Stands for flags

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to boundary markers for playing fields for sports and deals more particularly with a soccer boundary flag and the means for supporting it.
  • the principal object of the present invention is to provide such a flag and support means therefor.
  • the flag and support means therefor of the present invention are: that it is light in weight and low in cost; that the support means is of simple construction requiring no welding or expensive machine work; that the support means is constructed so as to permit easy penetration into the ground to provide an anchor for the flag staff; that the coupling of the flag staff with the support is very easily accomplished; that the support means includes depth means limiting the extent of maximum penetration into the grounds; and that the support means can be constructed at low cost and yet will withstand years of rugged use without damage.
  • my invention provides a flag having a flexible staff, the anchored end of which has a hollow recess which fits over a shaft on a support means.
  • the shaft is formed by curling a portion of a metal sheet into a tube. Another portion of the same shaft is trimmed and configured as a spade-like blade section for penetrating the ground and anchoring the shaft to the ground but above ground level.
  • a rod extends laterally from the side of the support means at the juncture of blade and shaft, the rod extending through an opening in the sheet metal and having a right angle continuation confined within the hollow shaft.
  • the laterally extending rod provides a place for exerting foot pressure in a direction to force the blade into the ground. It also limits the maximum depth of penetration.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flag support means
  • FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the flag showing the support means in position in the ground, parts being broken away to indicate interrupted length and other parts being broken away and shown in section for purpose of illustration;
  • FIG 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.
  • the soccer flag is attached to the upper end of a staff 11.
  • the staff 11 is preferably constructed of a flexible but relatively stiff plastic-like material which permits bending on impact but which normally maintains the flag in an upright position.
  • the shaft is a hollow tube having the lower hollow portion 11a which is fitted over the support means now to be described.
  • the support means which is seen in perspective in FIG. 1, and penetrating the ground in FIG. 2, has the lower blade-like portion 12a and the upper shaft portion 12b over which the lower end of the flag staff is fitted.
  • the blade and shaft are formed from a single piece of material, preferably from a sheet of metal such as steel.
  • the blade portion 12a is provided at the lower end with the beveled edges 13 which converge to form a tip 14 for initial penetration of the ground.
  • the blade has a V-shaped cross section to give it longitudinal structural stability so as to resist deformation during forcing of it into the ground.
  • the shaft portion 12b is formed as a hollow tube by curling the metal sheet into the circular form illustrated.
  • the edges of the curled portions are formed as flanges 15a and 15b which abut one another at a seam and run lengthwise of the shaft.
  • a foot rod 16 extends laterally from the support means near the juncture of the blade 12a and shaft 12b.
  • the extending rod portion 16 is formed as an integral part with an angularly bent rod section 16a which extends upwardly through and is confined within the hollow interior of the shaft 12b.
  • the rod 16 extends outwardly through an opening 17 formed near the juncture of the blade 12a and shaft 12b.
  • the shaft 12b and rod section 16a are locked together against twisting movement by the tapped detents 18 which match with corresponding recesses 16b formed in the exterior of the rod 16a, thus stabilizing the extending foot rod 16 in its radial position.
  • the support means is normally coupled with the lower end of the flag staff prior to engaging the support means with the earth.
  • To engage the support means with the earth one simply needs to position the tip 14 of the blade on the ground with the support means in an upright position, place the foot upon rod 16 and force the blade downwardly into the ground.
  • the unit can be easily removed from the ground simply by grasping the flag staff near the bottom and pulling upwardly. If additional force is needed it can be obtained by prying with an appropriate instrument under the rod 16.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Piles And Underground Anchors (AREA)

Abstract

A flag staff having a hollow end coupled with a ground embeddable support means. The support means is in the form of a ground penetrating blade having a shaft above ground which couples with the hollow end of the staff. A foot engagable rod is secured and extends laterally from the support means so that foot pressure can be used to force the blade into the ground. The rod also serves to limit depth of penetration.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to boundary markers for playing fields for sports and deals more particularly with a soccer boundary flag and the means for supporting it.
It is necessary to mark the corners of soccer fields with boundary marker flags. While permanent fields can have permanent markers, the bulk of soccer today, at least in the United States, is played on multiple purpose fields or on fields that are created temporarily in parks and on other grassy areas. The marking up of such fields requires provision of boundary flags which can readily be positioned in place on a temporary use basis and which can then be removed and stored or transported to a new location.
The principal object of the present invention is to provide such a flag and support means therefor.
Among the many advantages of the flag and support means therefor of the present invention are: that it is light in weight and low in cost; that the support means is of simple construction requiring no welding or expensive machine work; that the support means is constructed so as to permit easy penetration into the ground to provide an anchor for the flag staff; that the coupling of the flag staff with the support is very easily accomplished; that the support means includes depth means limiting the extent of maximum penetration into the grounds; and that the support means can be constructed at low cost and yet will withstand years of rugged use without damage.
In summary, my invention provides a flag having a flexible staff, the anchored end of which has a hollow recess which fits over a shaft on a support means. The shaft is formed by curling a portion of a metal sheet into a tube. Another portion of the same shaft is trimmed and configured as a spade-like blade section for penetrating the ground and anchoring the shaft to the ground but above ground level. A rod extends laterally from the side of the support means at the juncture of blade and shaft, the rod extending through an opening in the sheet metal and having a right angle continuation confined within the hollow shaft. The laterally extending rod provides a place for exerting foot pressure in a direction to force the blade into the ground. It also limits the maximum depth of penetration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the various views;
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flag support means;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the flag showing the support means in position in the ground, parts being broken away to indicate interrupted length and other parts being broken away and shown in section for purpose of illustration; and
FIG 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.
Referring now to the drawing, and initially to FIG. 2, the soccer flag is attached to the upper end of a staff 11. The staff 11 is preferably constructed of a flexible but relatively stiff plastic-like material which permits bending on impact but which normally maintains the flag in an upright position. Preferably the shaft is a hollow tube having the lower hollow portion 11a which is fitted over the support means now to be described.
The support means, which is seen in perspective in FIG. 1, and penetrating the ground in FIG. 2, has the lower blade-like portion 12a and the upper shaft portion 12b over which the lower end of the flag staff is fitted.
The blade and shaft are formed from a single piece of material, preferably from a sheet of metal such as steel. The blade portion 12a is provided at the lower end with the beveled edges 13 which converge to form a tip 14 for initial penetration of the ground. The blade has a V-shaped cross section to give it longitudinal structural stability so as to resist deformation during forcing of it into the ground.
The shaft portion 12b is formed as a hollow tube by curling the metal sheet into the circular form illustrated. The edges of the curled portions are formed as flanges 15a and 15b which abut one another at a seam and run lengthwise of the shaft.
A foot rod 16 extends laterally from the support means near the juncture of the blade 12a and shaft 12b. The extending rod portion 16 is formed as an integral part with an angularly bent rod section 16a which extends upwardly through and is confined within the hollow interior of the shaft 12b. The rod 16 extends outwardly through an opening 17 formed near the juncture of the blade 12a and shaft 12b.
The shaft 12b and rod section 16a are locked together against twisting movement by the tapped detents 18 which match with corresponding recesses 16b formed in the exterior of the rod 16a, thus stabilizing the extending foot rod 16 in its radial position.
In use the support means is normally coupled with the lower end of the flag staff prior to engaging the support means with the earth. To engage the support means with the earth, one simply needs to position the tip 14 of the blade on the ground with the support means in an upright position, place the foot upon rod 16 and force the blade downwardly into the ground.
Penetration will continue until the underside of the rod strikes the top surface of the ground. The support means now serve to support the flag staff in the upright position.
The unit can be easily removed from the ground simply by grasping the flag staff near the bottom and pulling upwardly. If additional force is needed it can be obtained by prying with an appropriate instrument under the rod 16.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims (4)

Having thus described my invention, I claim:
1. A ground insertable support for a playing field boundary marking flag mounted on a flexible staff having a hollow mounting end,
said support comprising
a ground engaging member having a blade portion tipped at one end for insertion in the ground and having a hollow shaft portion extending from the other end of the blade portion in general alignment with the lengthwise direction of the blade portion and adapted to be fitted inside said hollow mounting end of the flexible flag staff,
a rod having a first portion- confined in said hollow shaft,
said rod including a second portion bent laterally away from the axis of the first portion and extending through an opening in said ground engaging member located near the juncture of said blade portion and said shaft portion,
said second portion of said rod providing surfaces respectively for application of pressure to drive the blade portion into the ground and for limiting the maximum depth of penetration to keep the shaft portion above ground level.
2. A support as in claim 1,
said ground engaging member formed from a single piece of sheet metal, the blade portion having a generally V-shaped cross section, said hollow shaft portion being formed by curling the metal into tube form with a seam along the side.
3. A support as in claim 2,
said seam including abutting flanges extending laterally from an lengthwise of the curled sections.
4. A support as in claim 1,
the interior of said hollow shaft and exterior of said first rod portion including registering detense and recesses for resisting twisting movement of one relative to the other.
US06/421,410 1982-09-22 1982-09-22 Playing field boundary flag and support therefor Expired - Fee Related US4520985A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/421,410 US4520985A (en) 1982-09-22 1982-09-22 Playing field boundary flag and support therefor

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/421,410 US4520985A (en) 1982-09-22 1982-09-22 Playing field boundary flag and support therefor

Publications (1)

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US4520985A true US4520985A (en) 1985-06-04

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Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4819904A (en) * 1986-10-27 1989-04-11 Leonid Shpigel Support member
US5090656A (en) * 1990-02-22 1992-02-25 Brown Roger A Post support
US5247900A (en) * 1992-12-18 1993-09-28 Sobczak Henry G Location marker stake
US5687946A (en) * 1995-04-07 1997-11-18 Cho; Donald D. Umbrella coupler and accessories thereto
US5758857A (en) * 1996-08-26 1998-06-02 Gray; Jason Andrew Soccer pole stake apparatus
US5887834A (en) * 1997-03-07 1999-03-30 Gellos; Todd A. Container securement apparatus
US6467756B1 (en) 1998-05-20 2002-10-22 Western Profiles Limited Post and rail system using extrudable plastic posts
US6571885B2 (en) 2001-02-08 2003-06-03 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Survey flag positioning method and apparatus
US6948689B2 (en) * 2002-06-24 2005-09-27 Kenney Gregory M Portable apparatus for demarcating a region with respect to the ground
US20060097124A1 (en) * 2002-06-24 2006-05-11 Kenney Gregory M Portable apparatus for demarcating a region with respect to the ground
US7185461B2 (en) * 2001-03-30 2007-03-06 Kalitec Signalisation Inc. Anchoring member for a support post
US20100276468A1 (en) * 2009-05-04 2010-11-04 Carrette Paul M Marker system with marker and installation apparatus
US7992754B1 (en) * 2009-05-04 2011-08-09 Flagshooter, LLC Marker system with marker and installation apparatus
US20110210154A1 (en) * 2009-05-04 2011-09-01 Flag Shooter, Llc Marker Installation Apparatus
US8480043B1 (en) * 2010-04-02 2013-07-09 Ronald B. Ventura Ground anchoring for trash cans
USD778355S1 (en) * 2015-09-18 2017-02-07 Sara Magness Flag pin
US9583029B1 (en) 2016-06-21 2017-02-28 Robert Chestnut Flag-holding device
US20170169739A1 (en) * 2015-12-14 2017-06-15 Sara Magness Flag pin, flag pin kit, and methods of using the same
US10398093B2 (en) * 2018-01-04 2019-09-03 Toolbro Innovators, Llc Stake securing a landscaping edging strip
USRE49472E1 (en) * 2018-01-04 2023-03-28 Toolbro Innovators, Llc Stake securing a landscaping edging strip

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2956762A (en) * 1960-02-12 1960-10-18 Alston Leroy Combination lawn hose and water nozzle support
US3182936A (en) * 1962-07-13 1965-05-11 Murdock Abe Flag pole holder
US3199818A (en) * 1964-05-25 1965-08-10 Howard B Ahara Lantern stand
US3283733A (en) * 1965-07-19 1966-11-08 Donald J Boerma Portable and collapsible sportsman's seat
US3831891A (en) * 1972-03-07 1974-08-27 Incol Presswork Ltd Rod supports
US4089423A (en) * 1977-01-17 1978-05-16 Gorham Jack R Rifle stand
US4098041A (en) * 1977-03-11 1978-07-04 Frye Norman V Buried sand anchor for volleyball poles and the like

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2956762A (en) * 1960-02-12 1960-10-18 Alston Leroy Combination lawn hose and water nozzle support
US3182936A (en) * 1962-07-13 1965-05-11 Murdock Abe Flag pole holder
US3199818A (en) * 1964-05-25 1965-08-10 Howard B Ahara Lantern stand
US3283733A (en) * 1965-07-19 1966-11-08 Donald J Boerma Portable and collapsible sportsman's seat
US3831891A (en) * 1972-03-07 1974-08-27 Incol Presswork Ltd Rod supports
US4089423A (en) * 1977-01-17 1978-05-16 Gorham Jack R Rifle stand
US4098041A (en) * 1977-03-11 1978-07-04 Frye Norman V Buried sand anchor for volleyball poles and the like

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4819904A (en) * 1986-10-27 1989-04-11 Leonid Shpigel Support member
US5090656A (en) * 1990-02-22 1992-02-25 Brown Roger A Post support
US5247900A (en) * 1992-12-18 1993-09-28 Sobczak Henry G Location marker stake
US5687946A (en) * 1995-04-07 1997-11-18 Cho; Donald D. Umbrella coupler and accessories thereto
US5758857A (en) * 1996-08-26 1998-06-02 Gray; Jason Andrew Soccer pole stake apparatus
US5887834A (en) * 1997-03-07 1999-03-30 Gellos; Todd A. Container securement apparatus
US6467756B1 (en) 1998-05-20 2002-10-22 Western Profiles Limited Post and rail system using extrudable plastic posts
US6571885B2 (en) 2001-02-08 2003-06-03 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Survey flag positioning method and apparatus
US7185461B2 (en) * 2001-03-30 2007-03-06 Kalitec Signalisation Inc. Anchoring member for a support post
US6948689B2 (en) * 2002-06-24 2005-09-27 Kenney Gregory M Portable apparatus for demarcating a region with respect to the ground
US20060097124A1 (en) * 2002-06-24 2006-05-11 Kenney Gregory M Portable apparatus for demarcating a region with respect to the ground
US8656857B2 (en) 2009-05-04 2014-02-25 Flagshooter Holdings, Llc Marker installation apparatus
US20100276468A1 (en) * 2009-05-04 2010-11-04 Carrette Paul M Marker system with marker and installation apparatus
US7992754B1 (en) * 2009-05-04 2011-08-09 Flagshooter, LLC Marker system with marker and installation apparatus
US20110210154A1 (en) * 2009-05-04 2011-09-01 Flag Shooter, Llc Marker Installation Apparatus
US8065856B2 (en) * 2009-05-04 2011-11-29 Flagshooter, LLC Marker system with marker and installation apparatus
US8480043B1 (en) * 2010-04-02 2013-07-09 Ronald B. Ventura Ground anchoring for trash cans
USD778355S1 (en) * 2015-09-18 2017-02-07 Sara Magness Flag pin
US20170169739A1 (en) * 2015-12-14 2017-06-15 Sara Magness Flag pin, flag pin kit, and methods of using the same
US9911370B2 (en) * 2015-12-14 2018-03-06 Sara Magness Flag pin, flag pin kit, and methods of using the same
US9583029B1 (en) 2016-06-21 2017-02-28 Robert Chestnut Flag-holding device
US10398093B2 (en) * 2018-01-04 2019-09-03 Toolbro Innovators, Llc Stake securing a landscaping edging strip
USRE49472E1 (en) * 2018-01-04 2023-03-28 Toolbro Innovators, Llc Stake securing a landscaping edging strip

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Owner name: GELHAAR UNIFORM CO.; 1608 OAK ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

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Effective date: 19930606

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